Joel Andrus, of Kemper Consulting, gave his annual update to our club on the annual Virginia General Assembly session, which just ended.
This was a short (46-day session), made 5 days shorter by the Richmond water crisis. The time was made up with long days. There were 3,100 pieces of legislation introduced, 2,000 of which were met on. There were many bills (for VA) that didn’t get hearings, which was unprecedented.
This is a non-budget year as Virginia is in the middle of a biennial budget, however significant changes are proposed. There is a divided government, and there was partisan wrangling, but the House didn’t want to make unnecessary waves or have bad press this session, they were eager to get home to prepare for election. The House, Governor, Lt Governor and Attorney General elections are this November.
Key funding proposals included the governor’s plan to reimburse the car tax for lower income people (which did not happen), but a one-time tax refund ($200/single/$400/married) was passed. Tax exempt tips were not agreed to, K-12 voucher program and funding for lab schools was discussed, and bonuses for teachers and add on funding for special education was provided, as well as funding to shore up and continue to fund VA military survivors and dependents education program (VMSDEP). Eight million dollars was approved for dredging projects on Wallops Island to be used for rocket launching.
There were a lot of bills on K-12 education (350 bills -everyone believes themselves to be an expert in schools) and health care. March 24th is the last day for the governor to act on legislation and April 2nd will be a “veto” session. The State’s response to the changing federal landscape is a topic of further discussion. June 17th is the primary election, and November 4th is the general election.
The Meeting
Eleanor Schoonover, accompanied by Bob Heely and Armistead Williams, led us in music, with This Land Is Your Land and Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Marilyn Gowen gave the invocation.
Ben Mason gave the visitation report. He asked for continued prayers for Joe Massey, who is recovering from a broken neck, he would like to get back to Rotary in a few weeks. Bill Jonak, one of our longest members, is back home after a heart issue, and is hopeful he’ll come back to Rotary soon for a visit. Nancy McGee, the widow of Jack McGee, passed away.
We serenaded Rotarians with birthdays and anniversaries.
Visitors:
- Barb Lipskis introduced her daughter, Abby Peterkin, who is our first new corporate member. She is joining under The UpCenter.
- Bob Ash had a guest, Jeff Fergus, the new Dean of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology at ODU, and prospective new member.
Fines and Happy Bucks
- Gary Bonnewell recited a poem that AI helped him write.
- Barbara Lifland – who enjoyed a healthy trip to the Caribbean – thanked John Ehehalt for stepping in to help with the office move while she was away.
- John Ehehalt gave thanks to George Campo for bringing a truck and helpers who did the heavy lifting for the Rotary office move.
- Marty Raiss gave happy bucks for being back after norovirus and flu. She still made it to Universal with her grandkids.
- Eric Peterson paid a fine for not wearing wear his pin. He wished everyone a Happy Mardi Gras, reminiscing when he used to live in New Orleans, and thanked everyone for attending the Ladybug Ball fundraiser for the Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation.
- Kelly Stefanko gave for Sally Hartman’s support in her decision to resign/retire from federal service.
Announcements
- Susan Donn has secured four rocks that will be placed at the zoo, engraved with Norfolk Rotary logo
- New memberships have been rolled out. Eight members are needed to charter the companion club, which meets on the 4th Tuesday at 5:30 at the VA Club.
- Thank you to John Ehehalt and team that helped move the Rotary office
- Thank you to the volunteers who helped labeled 7,000 books. John Ehehalt delivered the books to NPS.
- The club is waiting on the MOU from Norfolk Public Schools to go forward with Career Day.